1. What is gum arabic?
Gum arabic is the hardened sap of Acacia senegal tree and has many useful applications not only in food industry, but is also used in the preparation of inks, dyes and lithography and others.
2. In what respect gum arabic is different (unique) compared to other gums?
Gum arabic has extreme solubility in water and is lack of taste. In this way, its addition will not alter the taste of foods.
3. Why gum arabic is very important for the food industry? Gum arabic does:-
a) contribute to the flavors of foods.
i) It keeps the oil-based-flavors to be evenly suspended in water in beverages.
ii) It keeps flavor oils and fats to be evenly distributed in confectionary and artificial whipped creams.
iii) It enhances the shelf life of flavors in many dry-packaged food products such as instant drinks.
b) retards crystallization of sugar
c) thickens chewing gums and jellies
d) gives soft candies a desirable mouth feel
e) as a sweetener and as an additive in foods and beverages
From the article "Gum arabic"
Q & A section:
1. What is gum arabic?
Gum arabic is the hardened sap of Acacia senegal tree and has many useful applications not only in food industry, but is also used in the preparation of inks, dyes and lithography and others.
2. In what respect gum arabic is different (unique) compared to other gums?
Gum arabic has extreme solubility in water and is lack of taste. In this way, its addition will not alter the taste of foods.
3. Why gum arabic is very important for the food industry?
Gum arabic does:-
a) contribute to the flavors of foods.
i) It keeps the oil-based-flavors to be evenly suspended in water in beverages.
ii) It keeps flavor oils and fats to be evenly distributed in confectionary and artificial whipped creams.
iii) It enhances the shelf life of flavors in many dry-packaged food products such as instant drinks.
b) retards crystallization of sugar
c) thickens chewing gums and jellies
d) gives soft candies a desirable mouth feel
e) as a sweetener and as an additive in foods and beverages